WARRIORS OPPONENTS
Purdue has momentum
12TH IN A SERIES
Purdue is trying to bounce back after its first losing season since 1996, and the Boilermakers may already be on the right path after winning the final three games of last year.
Quarterback Curtis Painter, a freshman then, led the resurgence, starting the last five games. He's secure as the No. 1 man this fall, as his top competitor, Brandon Kirsch, left school early for the pros.
"It's kind of like big brother or big sister moves out of the house and you get your own room by yourself," coach Joe Tiller told the Purdue Exponent. "You're a lot more comfortable, and I sense that in Curtis."
Painter completed 89 of 170 passes for 932 yards, with three touchdowns and five interceptions. Tiller likes to throw in some option, and Painter's a good runner. He netted 231 yards and four TDs.
Kory Sheets starts at tailback. He compiled 571 yards and 10 TDs in 2005. JC transfers Jaycen Taylor and Dario Camacho played well in camp and provide depth.
Purdue always likes to throw the ball, and it has a standout receiver in Dorien Bryant, who led the Big Ten in receptions per game (7.3) and was second in receiving yards (87.3).
Bryant, Kyle Ingraham, Greg Orton and recruit Selwyn Lymon give Painter plenty of quality targets. Dustin Keller, at tight end, is another.
The offensive line is loaded with experience, led by fourth-year starter Mike Otto at tackle. Jordan Grimes, Sean Sester and Robbie Powell all also started last year, and Uche Nwaneri will likely start as he did in 2004. He did not play last year because of a fight with a teammate.
The defense has far less experience and many more questions than the offense. Purdue allowed 287.3 passing yards per game and a total yield of 430.7 an outing.
Pass-rushing end Anthony Spencer is one of just four returning starters, and is among the Boilermakers' few verified quality defenders.
Senior linebacker George Hall is another, but he was scheduled to undergo surgery for a leg condition, and will miss some of the early going, at least tomorrow's opener with Indiana State. His 77 tackles of last year will be missed if he doesn't return quickly.
Torri Williams has tons of potential at strong safety, but he missed last year with a broken leg. He's paired with a true freshman in Brandon Erwin at free safety. Zach Logan is a returning starter at cornerback.
Another true freshman, Tim Dougherty, will probably handle at least some of the kicking chores.
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS
2005 record: 5-6
Starters returning: 11
Head coach: Joe Tiller (67-43 in nine seasons at Purdue)
Last meeting with UH: None
2005 RESULTS
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Sept. 10 |
Akron |
W, 49-24 |
Sept. 17 |
at Arizona |
W, 31-24 |
Sept. 24 |
at Minnesota |
L, 42-35 (2 OT) |
Oct. 1 |
Notre Dame |
L, 49-28 |
Oct. 8 |
Iowa |
L, 34-17 |
Oct. 15 |
Northwestern |
L, 34-29 |
Oct. 22 |
at Wisconsin |
L, 31-20 |
Oct. 29 |
at Penn State |
L, 33-15 |
Nov. 5 |
Michigan State |
W, 28-21 |
Nov. 12 |
Illinois |
W, 37-3 |
Nov. 19 |
at Indiana |
W, 41-14 |
2006 SCHEDULE
Date |
Opponent |
Sept. 2 |
Indiana State |
Sept. 9 |
Miami (Ohio) |
Sept. 16 |
Ball State |
Sept. 23 |
Minnesota |
Sept. 30 |
at Notre Dame |
Oct. 7 |
at Iowa |
Oct. 14 |
at Northwestern |
Oct. 21 |
Wisconsin |
Oct. 28 |
Penn State |
Nov. 4 |
at Michigan State |
Nov. 11 |
at Illinois |
Nov. 18 |
Indiana |
Nov. 25 |
at HAWAII |